Margaret Stover

Margaret Stover, 89, of Lily Lake, passed away Friday, Nov. 1, 2013, after struggling for several months with the aftermath of a stroke.

The daughter of Otto F. and Martha (“Magda” Knutzen) Rothlisberger, she was born in Plato Center, Ill., where she attended the local grade school and graduated from Plato Center High School in 1941.

In September 1943, she married Lt. Glenn Stover, also a Plato Center graduate, who was at that time in the Army Air Corps. Following World War II, they made their home in Lily Lake in 1946. They were married 36 years when Glenn died of a sudden heart attack in 1980.

Margaret’s life was about her family, whom she nourished and held dear to her, enjoying most the role of doting grandmother. A homemaker all of her life, she was a friend to many and cherished their friendship. She was the organist at several funeral homes in the Fox Valley. And when her children were all in school, she worked part time for several years as a van driver for Central CUSD 301 special education students.

Her passion was music, and she shared her gift as a musician with many, including the Congregational Church of Lily Lake, where she was an active member and played the organ for church services for nearly 70 years. Prior to her marriage, she was organist for several years at the Lily Lake (Country) Covenant Church, where she was also confirmed and married. Until her 89th year, she visited Pine View Care Center each month to play for residents, and provided music for the local and regional American Legion Auxiliary, of which she was a member all of her adult life.

Throughout her lifetime Margaret played organ for weddings and funerals, played piano to accompany dozens of students for their performances at school music competitions, and played accordion for dances in the 1940s. In the early 1950’s, she organized a “local band” of high school musicians from Lily Lake.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; an infant son; brothers, Herman and Harry Rothlisberger; sister-in-law, LaVelle Rothlisberger; and nephew, Melvin Rothlisberger.

Visitation was held Monday at Yurs Funeral Home in St. Charles. Funeral services were held Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment followed at Lily Lake Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, if one wishes, memorial contributions may be made in Margaret’s name to the Congregational Church of Lily Lake, 44W188 Empire Road, St. Charles, IL 60175, or the Elburn American Legion Auxiliary Unit 630, 112 N. Main St., Elburn, IL 60119.

To leave an online condolence or remembrance to the family, visit the funeral homes obituary page at www.yursfuneralhomes.com. For more information, call Yurs Funeral Home of St. Charles at (630) 584-0060 or “like” it on Facebook.